FCBA Day 9- Montgomery to Demopolis

 

Today was another 100 mile day, with 83 miles of it on Alabama Highway 14-80. Much of that road is four lanes, but here were periods of just two lanes and no shoulder. On this road much of the trucking is logs headed to the mill, and cattle headed to slaughter. The truck drivers don’t care to abide bicyclists, and understandably so. This is when we are particularly careful to yield as much as possible, but then still we find ourselves going uphill at 10 mph with said freight growling at our backs waiting for their first chance to get around. Nobody was hurt, thank God.

I had a pretty good ride.  I ended with an average speed of 17 mph which is above my regular average for long distance. I was doing well up to 75 miles, averaging over 18 mph travel speed, but then when approaching Uniontown we were told to pair up with other riders to make the passage through for it is notorious for high crime. I had a slower rider to accompany, so lost my average for the day to that point. Once on the other side the remaining miles were accompanied by our fastest, so I was able to regain some lost time.

We are in a church family activity center and it is more than adequate. We have showers, a washer/dryer, and kitchen facilities so were able to make individual pizzas and salad for ourselves. It is nice when the local community provides dinner for us, but when we ride this distance it is just as well we make our own and not have to give a presentation. This gives me and others so inclined an opportunity to write. From here I have to go to “Jack’s” where I will order a shake and have internet access.